Green makes River City Players shows sing

Since the summer of 2005, Margie Green has been vocal director for River City Players at Northeastern State University.

Her brother played drums for River City in the late 1980s and early '90s and she has been part of the music scene ever since. When watching the shows as a child, Green wanted to sing and dance like the performers.

After graduating from Checotah High School, Green attended NSU on a vocal scholarship. She was part of the River City Players crew and performed as a Player for five years. In 2005, director Robyn Pursley suggested Green become the vocal director.

I was very excited to have her on board when I began directing both RCP shows in the 2005 season, because she is a River City veteran and understands what it takes to be a great performer, said Pursley.

Green has also shown her musical talent with the Tahlequah High School Choir Show. The group gives stellar performances and has earned national recognition and awards for its hard work. In addition to show choir, Green is also involved with the musical theatre offerings at THS.

Along with teaching the vocals for all songs in both River City shows, Green also arranges vocals based on original songs.

She sits down on her own time and picks out the harmonies on a piano, then comes in and teaches it to the performers, said Pursley. The vocal arrangements that she composes are pretty remarkable. Her talent helps make our shows high-quality.

Green enjoys seeing the end product.

The River City Players sound amazing this year and it is rewarding to hear them singing what I've taught them, seeing them perform well and watching the audiences enjoying their performance, said Green.

Greens family recently moved to Bartlesville and she will teach vocal music in the area. She plans to continue working with Pursley and NSU in the future.

I know there will come a time when Margie is ready to step away from River City and take on a new exciting project that also showcases her great talents, but I prefer to not think about that time," said Pursley. "I truly hope to continue working with her on this project for at least a few more years to come.

River City Players can be seen through August 7 at the Shawnee Street Theater located on the northeast corner of College Avenue and Shawnee Street. Their productions of Hollywood Hits can be seen Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Oldies But Goodies can be seen Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

If country music is more your style, then check out Downtown Country at the University Playhouse located on the northeast corner of Muskogee Avenue and Downing Street. Their productions of Destination Country can be seen Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and If This Ol Dock Could Talk can be seen Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices are adults $12, NSU alumni and employees $10, seniors 60-over and groups of 12 or more $8, children and NSU students $6. For tickets or reservations call 918-458-2075.

The Stars in the Summer series is made possible by NSUs College of Liberal Arts and sponsored by the Tahlequah Area Tourism Council.